Hey, all. As some of you know, I'm playing a 6-string Ibanez SGR4006 bass, and couldn't be happier with it...except for one thing: the electronics. I want to replace basically the entire guts of my bass, but I'm unsure of what brand to go with.

I had a Spector 4-string many (many) years ago with all active EMG's that were amazing, but I keep hearing about all these other brands that now are (finally) offering 6-string sized p/u's.

Along with the p/u's, I want to replace the pre-amp, and EQ, both with actives, as well. I don't suppose they HAVE to be the same brand, (actually, I'm kinda unsure on this technical matter...)

Any suggestions?

Cheers.

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I believe Bartolini makes 6 string p/ups.

A buddy of mine had the Ibanez BTB 5-string bass with active Bartolini's in it, but I didn't really care for the sound of it very much. Might have been his amp setup though.

Thanks for the tip, though.

Cheers.

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Bartolini tends to miss a hit or miss kind of sound, but I hear ya on lookin' for six string pickups, I can't find anything.

Aren't Bartolinis what your bass comes with in the first place?

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No. Mine comes with stock passive Ibanez pickups. The Bartolini's were only offered on the BTB basses, (as far as I know). The more I think about it, though, the more I'm inclined to believe the sound I didn't like on his BTB was the way he set his amp up, as when I plugged my bass into his rig, it sounded all "middy" and thin. Perhaps I'll have to look into the Bartolinis again.

Cheers.

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Ive heard good things about Bartolini's also EMG's and MEC's ().

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I had EMG's in my old 4-string Spector and they rocked. I'm leaning towards EMG replacements, but wanted to see what everyone thought and if there was another brand that perhaps I've missed.

Cheers.

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Well my bass (SGR 905) has Bartolinis. I'd definately say I'm satisfied with them, my real problem in terms of sound is strings going dull on me too quickly. Though I don't know how good EMGs are, since I've only played one bass with EMGs and it was a low quality bass.

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It seems that those are the two main choices: EMG's and Bartolini's. I guess at this point, it'll come down to availability and price, as most places don't carry pickups for a 6-string bass in their inventory, so it'll be special order. And we all know what happens with "special order" stuff..."It'll be here next week...er...month...er...year...but thanks for paying up front!"

Cheers.

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Lol! My friend once ordered a guitar pick-up that took some ridiculous time to come (maybe a month or so). When it finally arrived, it was the wrong one

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hehehe...yeah, and I'll bet the bastards tried to charge a shipping or restocking fee, to boot!!! Crooks, I tell ya, all crooks!

When my first 6-string got stolen it was going to take the music store almost 4 weeks to get my replacement from their other store, (which was about a 4 HOUR drive down the highway) I ended up paying for an overnight courier to get it hear faster...well worth the $30 or so to get it in time for the gigs we had booked.

Cheers.

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You ...
You had ....
You had your bass stolen!?!

That's terrible. I can't believe someone would do that. It's like raping a dead boy then cutting your dick off while it's inside just before you spoof.

Whoever steals a bass should be killed. No questions asked.

Unless it's a rich person's bass and it's a joke bass they own because it's funny, or something funny like that. Jesus christ that's alot of uninsured money down the hole. At least when they steal a car it's insured. Fuck!, a 6stringer too. You just know that even if the thief did know how to play, they surely would not know how to play a 6er. Anyone who plays a 6er is obviously pretty serious about it and knows how badly they're ruining someone's life buy stealing their bass. I'd fucking lose it man.

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Yeah, I pretty much lost it, that's for sure. And the good old Durham Regional Police lost the report 3 times!!!!! I searched every pawn shop and used music store, but to no avail. $1,000 down the tubes...

But no point bitching about it...I replaced it with the same bass.

Cheers...and thanks for the sympathy...*sigh*

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definitely go with the emg's my spector has them and they have the clip in pickups now so theres not too much wiring involved also fodera makes very nice pickups but i dont know if they make them for 6 strings. O i played an ibanez the one you have and i love it i only wish i could afford it right now.

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Yeah, they're a little pricey (about $1,000 CDN with a hardshell case) but it's definately worth the money. Still cheaper than most 6-strings, though, of comparable quality.

Cheers!

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go for EMG's or Seymor Duncans

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